Getting the kids Ready to dominate Kindergarten!
1 ( 3/4) and 3(3/4) year old Pre-school/Pre-Kindergarten- Homeschool Subject Choices:
Based on the curriculum we have purchased for Kindergarten
Subjects will be the same in K just more regimented and with more curriculum included.
Concepts I want to drill them on a regular basis,
review and further investigations on current topics,
word/ sound review,
read aloud's,
number songs using number line and props,
mental math using number line,
pledge and patriotic songs,
Riddles, Logic in story and discussion
Reading and Spelling- (to have sucess this must be worked into the calmest point of your child's day and we STILL offer a fruity snack to earn for good work.
We can not say enough about how well the following two products by different companies work so perfectly together. Inside the front cover of each Bob Book you will find a list of the beginning sounds for the Book. We pull the cards from these sounds from our All About Spelling box, and use the tiles to go over sounds and our word family and short vowel (for book one). Each week adding to our words, and keeping track of it all on our word tree, our word family books, and our phonogram chart. The chart is a copy, it came with the AAS program, we use stickers with the letter rewritten on them to show the sounds we've learned.
Bob Books - We are on Book Three of level 1 "Dot"
All About Spelling- I have introduced the phonogram cards as they appear in the beginning of each Bob Book instead of following the manual as we are only in preschool. We also use the tiles at times.
We have mastered 8 so far, we continue to review and will eventually review through teaching his little sister in his presence.
We make cards for the words in the books.
We focus on the word family introduced in the book and elaborate with activity's based on the words and sounds. We have been moving very, very slowly and have finally begun to pick up speed.
Word family Book - We made our own "AT" book, after weeks of working on our at words. Our next book will be on "AM".
Word Tree- We only hang words here we know without needing help and can read the first time without hint's. We only have three words on our tree at the moment which are; on, at, and am.
Sight words- Learning through games and labeling and using in sentences with other words.
Everyday learning- just pointing out common words in our world.
As a family we try to encourage everyone and everyone,as well as ourselves,to read as much as we can to our kids in an attempt to
display a love and enjoyment for books that has no label. We also play audio books while the kids are doing there writing practice.
Phonics-
We purchased Explode the Code, but have questions to whether or not we are going to use it as it seems to be more of a review at this point as our little guy is advancing quickly. I may photocopy a few lessons and save it for his little sister we'll see.
For now, we focus on letter sounds and blends when reading aloud. Also sing the alphabet, and sing the alphabet sounds. You tube has so many phonics songs to play as well.
Language-
Curriculum chosen for Kindergarten;
Language Smarts
Wordly Wise
For now we have just introduce sentences and punctuation marks.
Mathematics-
Curriculum chosen for Kindergarten:
Primary Mathematics Standards Edition (Singapore)- were using as our main program
Life of Fred- were want to use this entire series as a word problem supplement.
Math Analogies- as our warm up
For now we have been working on numbers 1-10 and just this week have begun introducing the teens. We have learned the hours of the clock and that the long hand points to the minutes but only know that 12 is o'clock. We know that the clock measures the time.
We use as many different ways as we can to teach math, using objects, numbers, number words, patterns, weight, and so much more. We count everyday throughout the day but are sure to spend some time everyday working on various ways to ensure a concrete foundation they can build on.
Bible / Ethics
For now we are reading through the Help me to be Good series the kids like it more than we do, also making are way through the beginners Bible for children for the second time. I started the KNIV for preschoolers but the kids weren't into it. We also pray and talk about his hand in all things we are learning of and our thankfulness for that.
Curriculum chosen for Kindergarten;
Studying Gods Word by Christian Liberty Press
Books of the Bible a reference book for kids I found used.
Science-
Curriculum chosen for Kindergarten- Focus on Elementary Biology
For now we are using books from our classroom library and our subscription to Ranger Rick magazine.
Biology- Animal Study / World Geography - often child lead we choose an animal, study it then rescue it and sail home on our ship.
Concepts- We do these randomly and constantly go back and discuss things we know. Friction and Force are two examples of concepts we've covered.
If we get these subject done we feel acomplished. The rest are bonus and add on's, subjects that will become more serious as we go.
History- Daddy's class
Curriculum Heritage Studies- they have already begun learning the world map, direction, and land and water. The creation has been covered and continue to go over and remind. We have also introduced all the planets, the sun, and moon. As well as the concept of Gravity.
Engineering-
We come up with a problem, the try to come up with a way or several ways to solve the problem and explain how it all worked out. What we use can range from simple to complex, It can be anything
Legos, Kenex, Marble run, Marshmellows and toothpicks, Snap Circuits, Simple Machines, Dirt Roads, and cardboard castles.
Other Electives we try to include are;
Art-
Music-
P.E.-
Computer-
Library-
Foreign Language-
Health-
Study of our home State/Maine-
